Chris shares his journey from evangelical roots, to a liberal seminary, to prison chaplaincy, and then how his practice and beliefs evolved further through community chaplaincy on the streets. We recognise that our lives can become richer through questions rather than answers, through our differences rather than our like-mindedness. We touch on encounters with apostacy and the obstacles to people expressing this freely; on the skills in responding to apostacy without judgement or fear. Chris points out that training for ministry is often about outputs, about the pulpit, but chaplaincy is all about listening at a deep level. We ponder the challenges in offering useful questions, attempting to understand, giving space through silences and the power of being authentic (I don't know the answer to that either).  Freethinking is the ability to engage with hard questions and difficult situations with an open mind and a readiness to see another's perspective - there is no attachment to things or concepts that might muddle your interpretation or cloud your judgement. Chris has become sceptical about the value of bringing in the book, or the scriptures, to chaplaincy situations and wonders if it becomes a crutch because the intensity and uncomfortableness of being alongside another human being in their distress is just too much. We finish with a contemplation about whether the act of chaplaincy is in itself transformative and part of our own individual journeys - and we agree that it is not so much what you believe, but how you use those beliefs to do good.

Jamie Fearn is doing a PhD on the intersections between spiritual and bodily pain by exploring with co-researchers how they describe their recovery. This proves fertile ground for our discussion about how we encounter trauma in chaplaincy - physical, emotional, moral and spiritual trauma, to do with current circumstances or to do with events in the past. Jamie shares her knowledge of Hakomi which uses mindfulness as a means for connecting people with their inner and physical experiences, building on the principle of unity and interconnectedness. We share examples from our practice and also consider where the boundaries are between therapy and chaplaincy (or pastoral care) - to do with intention to get to a destination or not? Jamie does not come to pastoral care in mental health services with a theology qualification - her route is secular. Such 'sideways' entries into the chaplaincy team offers important insights and perspectives that can feed directly into our chaplaincy practice.  We share a desire to be authentically alongside others or to help them dig into their own experiences to find their explanations and resolutions and Jamie demonstrates clearly how she can add value. Further details about Jamie's research can be found on our Opening Up Chaplaincy Website.   

Amarjodh shares with us how he combines the skills of doctor and chaplain in his approach to pain and distress in others. His life is deeply informed by his Sikh faith and its ethos of altruism and humility. He talks about the 'freedom to delve' into people's beliefs as a chaplain and how a holistic approach recognises that existential distress happens throughout life, especially when faced with adversity or illness. Amarjodh goes on the share the philosophy of the Sikh religion and how it guides people to remember God, to be honest and to share with others (time, knowledge. assets). He offers guidance on how an awareness of the internal and external practices of being a Sikh can help clinical staff to remain sensitive and supportive of the Sikh patient in their care, with the best course of action to always ask the patient themselves what is important to them. We finish on a discussion about the nature and meaning of pain, outside the body, inside the body or in the spirit. For a devout person, spiritual pain is the most distressing and sometimes the most important to address.  Amarjodh invites us to explore how pain can be a medicine and happiness can be a disease - their coexistence begs for a reflection on meaning, purpose and learning in life. A thought provoking and informative conversation.

In this broad and wide ranging discussion we explore with Leti Hawthorn the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are needed to be authentically non-judgemental and present with others. Leti shares her journey into interfaith ministry, driven by a recognition of how her own cultural and faith history might limit her ability to show equal compassion; and how much richer her insights and appreciations are with more understanding of other beliefs and worldviews. Leti is an enabler and considers an important part of her role is to support others to engage with the emotional and spiritual, as well as the physical, in their caregiving. Leti is interested in the role of ritual and ceremony in human life and draws on the shamanistic tradition in the idea of holding space with others, or 'rubbing bones' as she calls it. She is someone with a rich spiritual literacy that is not expressed in a religious way and we muse over the metaphor of 'light' as goal or experience in the human condition. Leti describes her respect for people whose beliefs are non-religious and we ponder on the notion of rules and boundaries in religions and finding our 'fit'. We go on to explore how alternative views and perspectives such as hers fit in current models of chaplaincy and recognise that although there is an obvious need for regulation and standards, religious qualifications and a letter from a sponsor do not necessarily guarantee the interpersonal, intuitive and humble qualities that are key to the role. Care also need to be taken not to exclude people, like Leti and Jo, because their routes into chaplaincy might be different. Leti's voice is powerful and persuasive in suggesting how chaplaincy can open up.

Triggered by the death of her Dad a few days ago,  Jo reflects with Stig on what makes a good death.  They think about how to talk about death and the dangers of assuming that it is always terrible and tragic. As chaplains we must be cautious and tentative in locating just how people might be feeling about their own death or that of their loved one. Death is a wholly individual experience and not a path that we travel more than once, so it is unchartered territory. Some people may be strengthened by the presence of others and others may wish to die alone as a deeply personal and private experience. The challenge can be in reading the situation. At times relief is part of the emotional mix and this is legitimate, not something to feel guilty about. There can be humour and serendipity - not everything needs to be solemn or explained. And we reflect on how, as a chaplain, knowledge of your experience of loss can trigger others to share theirs and how loss of parents is different and can have lifelong reverberations.

Leon shares his insightful perspectives on how his ethnicity, his faith and his rich life experiences inform his chaplaincy practice. He has lived in different parts of the world and in different communities, worked in healthcare chaplaincy, hospices (children and adults), and currently in prisons with the remit of 'chaplain' but with a breadth of understanding of that role that is informed by his own experiences of oppression and a deep empathy with the patient, staff and prisoner experience. We throw light on concepts of privilege and power that can play out, knowingly and unknowingly, and the chaplain responsibility to challenge and facilitate 'courageous discussions'. We question the idea of 'moving people on' in their own agendas or in ours; the need to recognise our roles as 'professionals' alongside others in the institution; the importance of informed 'code-switching' in our interactions - not just changing what we say, but being credible and respectful in how we connect with people who hold different beliefs from us. Leon has such wisdoms about the concepts and practice of chaplaincy, how it differs in prisons and in healthcare and how trauma is often the common core in our journeys with others. His articulation of the issues exemplifies how diverse voices are essential in articulation and evolution of chaplaincy.